HANSARD

 

NOVA SCOTIA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO

REVIEW THE ESTIMATES OF THE

OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL AND THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER

 

 

Thursday, February 27, 2014

 

 

 

Red Room, Province House

 

 

 

Printed and Published by Nova Scotia Hansard Reporting Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE ESTIMATES

OF THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL AND THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER

 

 

Hon. Kevin Murphy (Chairman)
Hon. Michel Samson
Ms. Margaret Miller
Hon. Labi Kousoulis
Mr. Lloyd Hines
Hon. Christopher d'Entremont
Mr. Chuck Porter
Hon. Frank Corbett

 

 

 

In Attendance:

 

Mr. Neil Ferguson
Chief Clerk
House of Assembly

Mr. Gordon Hebb>
Chief Legislative Counsel

Ms. Annette Boucher
Assistant Clerk
House of Assembly

Ms. Deborah Lusby
Director of Administration
Office of the Speaker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HALIFAX, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

 

SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE ESTIMATES

OF THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL AND THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER

 

2:33 P.M.

 

CHAIRMAN

Hon. Kevin Murphy

 

 

MR. CHAIRMAN: All right, if we're all set we'll proceed to our Special Committee of the House of Assembly. We have two items on the agenda here: the review of the Auditor General's Office budget, and the review of the Elections Nova Scotia budget estimates for the upcoming year. With that, I'll turn it over to Mr. Ferguson.

 

MR. NEIL FERGUSON: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to outline why we're here, Section 16 of the Auditor General Act and Section 19 of the Elections Act have mirror provisions that require the Auditor General and Elections Nova Scotia to submit to a committee of the House of Assembly designated for the purpose of considering those offices' estimates, the estimates of the sums of money they require for each budget year.

 

The committee reviews the estimates and then makes a recommendation that goes to the Treasury Board. That is why we're here today. The materials were submitted some time ago by both the offices. I note that we have people here from both of those offices in case there are any questions on the materials that were circulated. It appears to me, Mr. Chairman, that it would be appropriate then to open up the floor to discussion by the committee of any recommendations as to how to proceed with the estimates and whether they should go forward to Treasury Board as is.

 

MR. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Samson.

 

HON. MICHEL SAMSON: Mr. Chairman, on Page 5 of the Budget Estimates provided by the Office of the Auditor General, there are options provided there. I move that Option No. 2 be submitted to Treasury Board for consideration for the budget of the Office of the Auditor General, and I so move.

 

MR. CHAIRMAN: Moved by Mr. Samson - do we have a seconder? It's seconded by Mr. Corbett.

 

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

 

The motion is carried.

 

Mr. Samson.

 

MR. SAMSON: Mr. Chairman, we've also been provided with the Budget Estimates for Elections Nova Scotia. I move that the Budget Estimates provided by Elections Nova Scotia be referred to the Treasury Board for their favourable consideration, and I so move.

 

MR. CHAIRMAN: Moved by Mr. Samson - do we have a seconder? It's seconded by Mr. d'Entremont.

 

Would all those in favour of the motion please say Aye. Contrary minded, Nay.

 

The motion is carried.

 

That concludes the business of this Special Committee of the House of Assembly. Thank you very much.

 

[The special committee adjourned at 2:36 p.m.]